Explore your sensuality and relax with natural cosmetic treatments

Your sensuality is an undeniable part of who you are. Contrary to what is depicted in movies, books or advertisements, sensuality is not necessarily about having a beautiful body or even having mind-blowing fun. It is how you live your life, how you connect with others and with yourself that determines what sort of physical energy you put out.

When you are out of touch with your senses, everything else will also be out of balance. Do something today that makes you comfortably aware of your more sensual self. Massage your toes, try a new perfume or feed your skin with this indulgent do-it-yourself chocolate facial. It's a luscious treat for your skin and your sense of smell, and is suitable for all skin types. Cocoa is a source of antioxidants, which have a toning effect, the honey has humectant properties (meaning it helps your skin retain moisture) while the yoghurt adds lactic acid which helps dissolve dead skin cells and refine skin texture.

Chocolate Facial

1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 tablespoons honey
4 tablespoons natural plain yoghurt
1 vitamin E capsule
rice flour

Combine the first three ingredients to form a sloppy paste. Snip the end off the vitamin E capsule and squeeze the contents into the mixture. Stir well. Add enough rice flour to form a smooth, firm, workable texture. Smooth over face and neck, avoiding the eye area and lips. Lie down for 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry. According to practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine eating dead food will contribute to dead chi, or stagnant life force, in your body. Eating live, fresh foods, on the other hand, supports the flow of natural life energy.

Despite learning the dry science of it in school, the germination of the smallest plant is still a miracle. Give a little water and light to a tiny, tough seed and - incredibly - it turns into something that can nourish your body as well as your soul. And besides contributing a cheery touch of green to your kitchen windowsill, adding snipped fresh sprouts to sandwiches and salads is one of the quickest and easiest ways to tip the nutrition scales in your favour.

Sprouts are a good source of vitamins A and C and chlorophyll, along with trace elements, minerals and enzymes that are easily lost during cooking and storage. Buy a seed sprouter, or just use this old-fashioned jar-and-pantyhose method - it will work just as well now as it did in primary school.

Seed Sprouter

a wide-mouthed glass jar
seeds, e.g. alfalfa, mung bean, radish
piece of pantyhose
rubber band

Rinse out the jar thoroughly. Put the seeds in the bottom of the jar and cover with water. Cap the jar with the piece of pantyhose and secure to the neck with a rubber band. Leave for 10 minutes, then upend the jar to strain out the water. Shake the jar so that the seeds are evenly distributed along the bottom, not clumped together. Lay the jar on its side in a warm, light place (but not in direct sunlight). Repeat the watering and shaking process each morning until the seeds sprout.

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